Graphic Novel – Page 28 – Jill's Book Blog

Review: Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal

Title: Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal
Author: G. Willow Wilson
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: Marvel
Source: Purchased
Release Date: October 30, 2014
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Marvel Comics presents the new Ms. Marvel, the groundbreaking heroine that has become an international sensation!

Kamala Khan is an ordinary girl from Jersey City — until she’s suddenly empowered with extraordinary gifts. But who truly is the new Ms. Marvel? Teenager? Muslim? Inhuman? Find out as she takes the Marvel Universe by storm! When Kamala discovers the dangers of her newfound powers, she unlocks a secret behind them, as well. Is Kamala ready to wield these immense new gifts? Or will the weight of the legacy before her be too much to bear? Kamala has no idea, either. But she’s comin’ for you, Jersey!

It’s history in the making from acclaimed writer G. Willow Wilson (Air, Cairo) and beloved artist Adrian Alphona (RUNAWAYS)! Collecting MS. MARVEL (2014) #1-5 and material from ALL-NEW MARVEL NOW! POINT ONE #1.

Review:

I love the new Ms. Marvel. She’s a great, diverse addition to the Marvel universe.

Kamala has to balance her strict family rules with the modern world. She wasn’t allowed to go out to a party, so she snuck out and ended up with superpowers, which may or may not be a good thing. Her brother contrasts her, because he is extremely religious, even more than their parents.

I loved the introduction to the superhero, Ms. Marvel. At first, Kamala turned into the original Ms. Marvel, who was a white, blonde woman in a skimpy outfit. Kamala’s version is very different. She is a young, brown girl, who is more modest.

I love Kamala. I’m excited to see where this story goes!

Have you read Ms. Marvel? What did you think?

Review: Giant Days, Vol. 1

Title: Giant Days, Vol. 1
Author: John Allison, Lissa Treiman
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: BOOM! Box
Source: Purchased
Release Date: November 18, 2015
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Susan, Esther, and Daisy started at university three weeks ago and became fast friends. Now, away from home for the first time, all three want to reinvent themselves. But in the face of handwringing boys, “personal experimentation,” influenza, mystery-mold, nu-chauvinism, and the willful, unwanted intrusion of “academia,” they may be lucky just to make it to spring alive. Going off to university is always a time of change and growth, but for Esther, Susan, and Daisy, things are about to get a little weird.

Collects issues #1-4.

Review:

This graphic novel was awesome! I saw some people rave about it, and now I can see why!

Esther, Susan, and Daisy are so different. They each have to teach the others how to be a little more like them. Esther is serious and usually a downer. Susan is outgoing, a little goth, and says what she thinks. Daisy is quiet but ready to try new things. This combination made for some great stories!

Each of the girls had dilemmas at school, which are pretty typical to the university experience, when teens are living away from home for the first time. Susan caught the flu and had to deal with being sick by herself. Esther went a little too far when she bashed an old friend under the guise of feminism. Daisy partied too hard on the night of her eighteenth birthday. They had to deal with love and loss in just four short comics.

These stories are realistic, and great for readers in university or recently graduated. I can’t wait to read more.

Review: Patsy Walker, A.K.A. Hellcat!, Volume 1: Hooked On a Feline

Title: Patsy Walker, A.K.A. Hellcat!, Volume 1: Hooked On a Feline
Author: Kate Leth, Brittney Williams
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: Marvel
Source: Purchased
Release Date: July 5, 2016
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Patsy Walker has managed to escape her past, her enemies and Hell itself (literally) – but nothing compares to job hunting in New York City! Between trying to make rent and dodging bullets, Patsy barely has time to deal with her mother’s exploitative romance comics about Patsy’s past resurfacing, much less how they start to interfere with her work and dating life. As she goes from living a double life to a triple, what the hell is Patsy Walker supposed to do? There’ll be friendship and burgers, monsters and rent checks and a ghost from the past with questionable motives! Comics’ most flexible heroine has been a provisional Avenger, a Defender, Satan’s daughter-in-law and a dead woman–but she’s never been anything like this!

Collecting: Patsy Walker, A.K.A. Hellcat! 1-6

Review:

I loved this graphic novel!

Patsy Walker is an old comic book character who is brought into modern times in this series. Her old comics are even brought up in the story, when she discovers that a childhood friend has been reprinting them and profiting off Patsy’s name and face. I love this kind of meta narrative.

The art in this graphic novel is very cartoony. After the first issue, the writer says that even though these comics are rated Teen, she intends for them to be for all ages. The cartoon drawings make them look appropriate for young kids, but the story is also entertaining for adults.

One of my favourite things about this graphic novel is that it featured some of my favourite marvel characters: She-Hulk and Jessica Jones. They really made this a girl power comic!

I loved this graphic novel, and I can’t wait to read the next one!

Review: Rise of the Superheroes: Greatest Silver Age Comic Books and Characters

Title: Rise of the Superheroes: Greatest Silver Age Comic Books and Characters
Author: David Tosh
Genre: Non-Fiction, Graphic Novels
Publisher: F+W Media
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Release Date: May 8, 2018
Rating: ★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

They Could Be Heroes

Rise of the Superheroes–Greatest Silver Age Comic Books and Characters is a visual and entertaining adventure exploring one of the most popular and significant eras of comic book history. From 1956 to 1970, the era gave us Spider-Man, The Avengers, X-Men, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man and a flurry of other unforgettable and formidable characters.

The Silver Age redefined and immortalized superheroes as the massive pop culture titans they are today.

Lavishly illustrated with comic book covers and original art, the book chronicles:
The new frontier of DC Comics, with a revamped Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, and new characters including Hawkman
Marvel’s new comics featuring Thor and The Fantastic Four
The pop art years that saw Batman’s “new look” and the TV series
Independent characters, including Fat Fury and T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents
Spotlights new and re-imagined superheroes, like Wonder Woman, who have become central to modern pop culture
Includes values of these comics, which are popular with collectors
Thanks to the Silver Age, superheroes are bigger and badder than ever.

Review:

This is a great book about this history of superhero comics. It focuses on the art of comics and artists who created them. It is especially good for collectors, because some prices of vintage comics are listed.

I loved that there were many original comic covers in this book. Alongside the photos, the amounts that these original comics sold at auctions were listed. It’s fascinating to see how many thousands of dollars these comics can sell for today, when they originally cost only a few cents!

One funny thing about this book, and it proves that superheroes are still extremely popular, is that even though this book was just released, the movie rankings are already out of date. Avengers: Infinity War has surpassed not only the earnings of other superhero movies, but all other movies as well. Black Panther was also a huge hit, and would be listed high up on the movie rankings. This just proves the lasting effects of these characters that were created decades ago.

This is a great book about the rise of superheroes!

Review: She-Hulk, Volume 1: Deconstructed

Title: She-Hulk, Volume 1: Deconstructed
Author: Marino Tamaki, Nico Leon, Matt Milla
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: Marvel
Source: Purchased
Release Date: July 25, 2017
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Jennifer Walters has survived the second Civil War…barely. But, having risen from the rubble, she re-enters the world a very different kind of hero. Fueled by a quiet rage, she is determined to move forward, to go on with her life – but the pain of the past and all that she’s lost is always there. An undercurrent, a pulse waiting to quicken -and trigger Jen’s transformation into the one thing she doesn’t have control over…

COLLECTING: HULK 1-6

Review:

She-Hulk, aka Jennifer Walters, is my favourite superhero! I’m so excited about this new series!

This story takes place after the Civil War. Jen has a hard time dealing with the death of one of the Avengers (I won’t give the name in case of spoilers). But she forced herself to get back into her job as a lawyer. This story showed more of her work life, than her personal life.

I loved the story of Maise Brewn. It was so creepy and scary. As soon as I saw her, I gasped, and I realized maybe it wasn’t the best choice to read this before bed… She looks like some kind of ghost with gray skin and black eyes. But the creepy aspect of Maise and her odd apartment really kept me excited and curious about the story.

I absolutely loved this graphic novel, and I can’t wait to read the next volumes!

Review: The Stone Heart (The Nameless City #2)

Title: The Stone Heart (The Nameless City #2)
Author: Faith Erin Hicks
Genre: Middle Grade, Graphic Novel
Publisher: First Second
Source: Borrowed from a friend
Release Date: April 4, 2017
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Kaidu and Rat have only just recovered from the assassination attempt on the General of All Blades when more chaos breaks loose in the Nameless City: deep conflicts within the Dao nation are making it impossible to find a political solution for the disputed territory of the City itself.

To complicate things further, Kaidu is fairly certain he’s stumbled on a formula for the lost weapon of the mysterious founders of the City. . . . But sharing it with the Dao military would be a complete betrayal of his friendship with Rat. Can Kai find the right solution before the Dao find themselves at war?

Review:

I liked this book much more than the first one.

Since the characters were introduced in the first book, the action began right away. There were conspiracies and betrayals, which made the story very exciting.

We also learned more background information on many characters such as Rat. This explained how she came to be in the position she’s in.

There was a big cliffhanger at the end of the story, so I can’t wait to see what happens when the third installment comes out in the fall!

Review: The City on the Other Side

Title: The City on the Other Side
Author: Mairghread Scott
Genre: Middle Grade, Graphic Novel
Publisher: First Second
Source: NetGalley
Release Date: April 24, 2018
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

When a wealthy and sheltered young girl stumbles into a pitched war between two fairy kingdoms, the fate of San Francisco itself hangs in the balance!

The first decade of the twentieth century is coming to a close, and San Francisco is still recovering from the great earthquake of 1906. Isabel watched the destruction safely from her window, sheltered within her high-society world.

Isabel isn’t the kind of girl who goes on adventures. But that all changes when she stumbles through the invisible barrier that separates the human world from the fairy world. She quickly finds herself caught up in an age-old war and fighting on the side of the Seelie—the good fairies.

Review:

I really enjoyed this middle grade fantasy graphic novel!

Isabel crossed the barrier between the human world and the fairy world. There are two types of fairies, the Seelies and the Unseelies. It was hard to distinguish between the Seelie and Unseelie because each fairy was a different creature and they didn’t have any defining characteristics.

Isabel was a great character. She gained a lot of strength while in the fairy world. She had to problem solve to find the princess. She was also a very dedicated girl, since she didn’t give up on her quest to find the princess, though she didn’t know anything about that world.

I loved that there was an explanation of the creation of the story at the end. It explained the setting of San Francisco and the earthquake that happened in 1906. It also explained that many different fairies were inspired by mythological creatures. This was so helpful, because I was wondering why they all had such unusual appearances.

This is a great graphic novel for middle grade readers!

Review: Real Friends

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Title: Real Friends
Author: Shannon Hale, LeUyen Pham
Genre: Middle Grade, Graphic Novel
Publisher: First Second
Source: Borrowed from a friend
Release Date: May 2, 2017
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

When best friends are not forever . . .

Shannon and Adrienne have been best friends ever since they were little. But one day, Adrienne starts hanging out with Jen, the most popular girl in class and the leader of a circle of friends called The Group. Everyone in The Group wants to be Jen’s #1, and some girls would do anything to stay on top . . . even if it means bullying others.

Now every day is like a roller coaster for Shannon. Will she and Adrienne stay friends? Can she stand up for herself? And is she in The Group—or out?

Newbery Honor author Shannon Hale and New York Timesbestselling illustrator LeUyen Pham join forces in this graphic memoir about how hard it is to find your real friends—and why it’s worth the journey.

Review:

This is a great graphic novel for kids.

I loved the art in this book. It made the story quite funny. Shannon’s sister was depicted as a bear sometimes. Shannon had daydreams about creating fantasies with her friends. These things couldn’t have been demonstrated in the same way if it wasn’t a graphic novel.

The story is important for all kids to read. Shannon had trouble making friends. She would have a friend and then they would move away. She didn’t fit in with the popular group, though she tried to join them. When she tried to leave them, she couldn’t get anyone to join her new group. Many kids have these kinds of problems at some point in their lives, so this would show them that they aren’t alone with their feelings.

Shannon also had problems with her sister. They didn’t get along most of the time. But then it was revealed that they actually had a lot in common. Sometimes you don’t like things about someone else because they remind you of yourself. This also shows that it may not be your fault if you don’t get along with someone.

I really enjoyed this story. I recommend it for young readers!

Review: Goldie Vance, Volume 1

Title: Goldie Vance, Volume 1
Author: Hope Larson, Brittney Williams, Sarah Stern
Genre: Young Adult, Graphic Novel
Publisher: Boom Entertainment
Source: Purchased
Release Date: October 18, 2016
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

GOLDIE VANCE IS ON THE CASE

Sixteen-year-old Marigold “Goldie” Vance has an insatiable curiosity. She lives at a Florida resort with her dad, who manages the place, and it’s her dream to one day be the hotel’s in-house detective. When Walter, the current detective, encounters a case he can’t crack, together they utilize her smarts, skills, and connections to solve the mystery…even if it means getting into a drag race, solving puzzles, or chasing a helicopter to do it!

Review:

I loved this graphic novel! I wish I had read it sooner!

Goldie Vance reminded me a lot of Nancy Drew. However, Goldie has more nerve than Nancy. Goldie doesn’t think twice about breaking the rules in order to solve a mystery. In this book she even stole, or “borrowed,” a car in order to recover a stolen item.

There was a lot going on in the story around Goldie as well. She had to deal with her parents, who are divorced. Her father was always running around working at the same hotel with Goldie, and he didn’t seem to have much time for her unless she was doing something wrong. She also had a few friends who helped Goldie solve her mysteries. All of her friends were going on dates, but Goldie didn’t, so I’m wondering if she will have more of a romantic storyline in the future volumes.

I’m really excited to continue this series. This is a great start to the story!

Review: The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Volume 1: Squirrel Power

Title: The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Volume 1: Squirrel Power
Author: Ryan North, Erica Henderson
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: Marvel
Source: Purchased
Release Date: September 1, 2015
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Wolverine, Deadpool, Doctor Doom, Thanos: There’s one hero that’s beaten them all-and now she’s got her own ongoing series! (Not that she’s bragging.) That’s right, you asked for it, you got it, it’s SQUIRREL GIRL! (She’s also starting college this semester.) It’s the start of a brand-new set of adventures starring the nuttiest and most upbeat super hero in the world!

COLLECTING: The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl 1-4

Review:

Squirrel Girl is a cute superhero. She’s a quirky girl, who is part squirrel and can speak to squirrels. She was so funny, which made it an entertaining read.

Squirrel Girl, aka Doreen Green, starts college in this story. She has a serious roommate, who loves her cat, Mew. Doreen’s squirrel antics attempted to distract her from the cute guy, Tomas, who she kept running into around campus. But the one who really stole the show was Tippy-Toe. Tippy-Toe is Doreen’s squirrel sidekick and partner in crime. She was so adorable!

I really enjoyed this cute story. I’ll have to keep my eyes open for more books in the series!